Coaching Staff

Sunday: Paul Garman
Monday: Grayton Geisman
Tuesday: Jack Kangas
Wednesday: AJ Burt
Thursday: Nicole Leenders
2017-18 Officers

President: Natalie DeLeon
Vice President: Jacob Lingo
Treasurer: Jack Mantkowski
Meet Coordinator: Michael Cochenour
Apparel: Harold Kahler
Fundraising/Sponsorship: Sophie Maharry
Social/Outreach: Kat Sparrow
Nationals Coordinator: Gina Santi
Nationals Committee Members: Braden Kane, Shane Riddle
Risk Manager: Allison Watkins
Former President: Kyle Hopkins

Meet the officers!

  1. Name/position: Natalie DeLeon/President
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Butterfly
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for a little over 13 years. I swam for a club team in Connecticut called New Fairfield Aquaflyers. I also swam for my high school all 4 years in addition to my club team. This will be my third year on the club team at Ohio State.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the club swim team because I truly love swimming and wasn’t ready to give up competing. I couldn’t imagine not being part of a team and after being a part of this club for three years now I can easily say that everyone on it has become my new swim family.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: It’s hard to just tell one memory or one story. Every meet you go to creates memories and bonds between all of us, especially our nationals meet. One memory that sticks out the most to me is when we were at nationals and the meet got delayed so we decided to have a flip-cup relay with the other teams, which we usually win , but Michael just couldn’t flip it so we ended up getting lapped, but it’s fine we still placed in the actual meet, which is where it mattered.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: One goal that I have for this upcoming season is to have both the guys and girls place top 3 at nationals and be top 3 as a combined team.
  1. Name/position: Jacob Lingo/Vice President
  2. Year: Sophomore
  3. Best stroke: Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: This year will be my 15th year swimming competitively! I swam for the ME Lyons Anderson Barracudas for roughly 10 years and swam for Turpin High School for 4 years. This will be my 2nd year swimming on the club team at Ohio State.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the club team because I have been swimming all my life and I wanted to continue that through college.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory from club swimming is from our first home meet when we had so many people come to our meet. I hadn't really realized how big our team was and how much fun it would be with everyone there. Then after the meet, we had so many people in the hot tub that they had to start kicking us out!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal for this season is to try and get everyone involved with the team in some way. I want to be able to make everyone feel included so that we can really have a great season!
  1. Name/position: Jack Mantkowski/Treasurer
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: 14 years. I started with my local summer club team then joined Cincinnati Aquatic Club from age 6 to 18 and swam for Madeira High School all 4 years as well.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the club team because I love swimming and wanted to continue competing in the sport. Plus, the club team seemed super fun!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Picking just one memory is so hard, but I would have to go with winning nationals my freshman year and celebrating and singing Carmen with the team after.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: A goal I have for the upcoming year is to increase my involvement within the club and continue to make club swimming a great experience for everyone.
  1. Name/position: Michael Cochenour/ Meet Coordinator
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best Stroke: Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams:  This will be my 10th year swimming! Finally reached those double digits!! I swam with the North Canton YMCA team from 6th grade to senior year, and I swam for Hoover High School throughout my four years there. This will be my third year with CSOSU.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined Club Swimming at Ohio State because I didn't want to quit swimming once I left high school. I felt I had invested too much of myself into the sport to just stop! Joining the club was a great way to meet new people. It was also nice knowing I could have a competitive environment to practice while still having fun.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: Competing is my favorite aspect of the sport, so my favorite memories come from the meets we host and travel to. As Meet Coordinator, it is a lot of fun to plan all of the fun trips we take as a team. Also, being able to run our largest home meet ever - 463 swimmers competed! - was an awesome experience. Individually, my favorite memory has been scoring points in the 400 IM at Nationals!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: A goal of mine is to make finals in an event at Nationals! Another goal is for our team to work hard and become National Champs again!
  1. Name/Position: Harold Kahler / Apparel
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best Stroke: Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/for what teams: I have swam for 3 years total, starting with my senior year of high school at Tipp City – Bethel and ymca with Huber heights hurricanes then 2 years on Ohio State club swim team
  5. Why did you join the club team: I wanted an easy way to meet people at college and a way to stay active while at college.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: One of my favorite memories from club swimming comes from last year when I had a bunch of friends I had made through club swimming over to watch some of the swimming at Rio Olympics last year. We ordered a bunch of pizza and just watched Phelps and the rest of USA kill it. I hadn’t seen any of them for like two months or so, so it was pretty cool that there were all willing to drive an hour there and back just to hang out for two or three hours.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season:  I want to help create a team environment that is lots of fun and hopefully get people to look forward to coming to practice every night. Would be pretty cool to win club swimming nats again too.

  1. Name/ position: Sophie Maharry / Fundraising and Sponsorship
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/what teams: I’ve been swimming since I was 7 years old, for Buckeye Swim Club (year-round), Delaware Aquatic Racing Team (summer league), and Centennial High School.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined CSOSU because I wanted a way to continue training and competing, all the while making friends, and still having time for classes and research. In addition, I learned only a few weeks into my freshman year that CSOSU was not strictly a swim team. It’s a wonderful way to connect with older students in similar areas of study, who can help navigate through the pool and college life (often during a social kick set.)
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: I have a lot of favorite memories, but most have taken place during van rides to away meets. From sing-a-longs to heart-to-hearts to car games, being trapped in a van for several hours with 10-12 people practically guarantees a good time.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal is to work closely with the social chair to plan innovative fundraising events that bring our team closer together while making us extra money.
  1. Name/ position: Kat Sparrow / Social Chair
  2. Year: Sophomore
  3. Best stroke: Butterfly
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I started swimming when I was about 5 years old on a local summer league team called the Dublin Dolphins. I later swam for both Dublin Coffman High School and United Swim Association!
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined Club Swimming at Ohio State because it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to continue the sport that I loved and had grown up around. This team gives me the chance to both balance my time between academics and swimming and to train with other students who share my passion for swimming.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory would probably have to be competing on the winning 400 medley relay at Nationals last year! Being able to hear CSOSU going crazy from our bleachers during the race and standing on the top of the podium with the other girls from the relay made me feel so lucky to have been a part of such an exciting race!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: My goal for the upcoming season is to uphold the inclusive and motivating environment of this team that made me feel so welcomed as a freshman on CSOSU. It would also be great to see the energetic team spirit we have at Nationals brought to each of our meets throughout the year. Go Bucks!
  1. Name/position: Gina Santi / Nationals Coordinator
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Butterfly / Freestyle
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I swam for WTRC Sharks for about 4-5 years, Centerville HS Club team for 4 years and I’ve been on this team the past two years!
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the team originally because it seemed to have a really flexible practice schedule and a good way to stay in shape in college (and not get the freshman 15).  After a few practices I met a lot of really great friends and realized how great of a community the swim team is.  It made transitioning to college a million times easier.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: There are way too many but one of my favorite memories was going to the Elon meet my freshman year.  It was a really long drive and I didn’t know people very well yet because I think it was the first meet I’d been to.   Throughout the drive I got to know everyone way better and everyone stayed up the entire drive and just talked, played games and sang along to the music.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I would really like to know who everyone is on the team and have everyone know who I am as well!For the whole team I’d love for us to do well at nationals again and cheer even louder than last year (if that’s possible).
  1. Name/ position: Braden Kane /  Nationals Committee
  2. Year: Sophomore
  3. Best stroke: I am pretty good at starts...
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I've been on and off competitive swimming for 13 years. I've swam for Madeira High School and the Blue Ash YMCA of Cincinnati, Ohio. This will be my second year swimming for CSOSU.
  5. Why did you join the club team:  I wanted to meet and make friends with people who share my love for swimming and fitness.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: I will forever cherish the memory of my boys and I getting all dressed up in our Hula skirts and Hawaiian garb and going buck wild to cheer for the Buckeyes at finals of the Nationals meet.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: In general I would love to see more participation from all the members of the team throughout the year and for us to win the Spirit Award at Nationals this year.
  1. Name/ position:  Shane Riddle / Nationals Committee
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Is mayonnaise a stroke? 
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming for 14 years now. I started with my local summer team Life Center Plus, then moved on to Hudson Heat and Stow Munroe Falls High School swim team. This is my third year on the OSU club swim team.
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined to stay in shape and meet new people. I stayed because the people I met were awesome.
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite club swimming memory, hands down, was August and Joey shaving each other in the shower at nationals while screaming obscure references at the top of their lungs. 
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: I would love to reclaim our rightful spot as national champs AND win the Spirit Award we were robbed of last year
  1. Name/ position: Allison Watkins / Risk Manager
  2. Year: Junior
  3. Best stroke: Breaststroke
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been swimming since I was about 7 years old. I started out on a summer league team called Northridge Stingrays in Springfield, OH. In 6th grade, I swam for SPY (Springfield Y), but then I started basketball in 7th grade so I just did summer league again. In high school, I swam my junior and senior year for the Kenton Ridge Cougars. My senior year, I also swam SPY again! Now I swim for the greatest team ever: Club Swimming @ Ohio State
  5. Why did you join the club team: I knew before I even went to college that I wanted to continue swimming competitively, but I did not want to go to a DIII school. I was born a Buckeye and Ohio State was my dream school. This team allows me to still swim competitively and push myself to get better, but it is a laid back and fun environment! I also joined this team because I wanted to make campus seem a bit smaller by finding my group of friends. Now my closest friends from this team are my roommates, including our amazing President!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory was freshman year at Nationals 2016! Well we first get to Atlanta, Georgia and we go see the Centennial Olympic Park. That was so cool to me and I enjoyed taking tons of pictures! Then we go and swim in the pool at Georgia Tech which was the Olympic Pool in 1996. The atmosphere at Nationals is surreal. Just so you know, you lose your voice like the first day! It is so much fun representing Ohio State and cheering for your teammates! What topped off this amazing experience was listening to our name be called as the National Champions!
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: One of my goals for the upcoming season is to attend practice at least 3 times a week and improve all my times from last season.
  1. Name/ position: Kyle Hopkins / Former President
  2. Year: Graduate Student
  3. Best stroke: Back/IM/distance free
  4. How many years have you been swimming/ what teams: I have been a swimmer for almost 18 years now! I swam from ages 6-18 with the Findlay Area Swim Team (and also swam with the Greater Toledo Aquatic Club for one summer during high school). Ever since then I’ve been swimming with CSOSU!
  5. Why did you join the club team: I joined the team because swimming has always been an integral part of my life and I knew that I couldn’t give it up in college. Being my 5th year on the team now, it has definitely proven to be the best decision I made in college. The team is as serious as you want to make it, and no matter what you want from this sport CSOSU can provide that!
  6. What is your favorite memory from club swimming: My favorite memory from club swimming definitely has to be singing Carmen Ohio after we won the National Championship in 2016. It’s cheesy, I know, but after all the work that officers and members alike put into the club that moment has to give you an amazing sense of pride that is greater than yourself.
  7. Name one goal for the upcoming season: One goal I have for this upcoming year is swimmers to leave practice in a better mood than they got there. Maybe Coach Jack has finally worn off on me, but I truly feel this club has something for everyone and should be a time to let loose with your teammates and do some dolphin dives or train for Nationals with some crazy fast swimmers.

Meet the Coaches!

  1. Name/Day: Paul Garman/Sunday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: This is my first year coaching Club Swimming here. In the past I helped in and was a coach at the University at Buffalo Swim Camp for 4 years.
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: I started swimming competitively at 8 years old and did so all the way through undergrad. Most recently, I swam Division I from 2009-2013 for the University at Buffalo (UB), where I primarily swam the 200 free and 200 IM. Now, I am a graduate student, and last year was my first year on the club team here at OSU.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: After college swimming, I was pretty burned out and "retired" from the sport for about a year and a half. This past winter, I started getting an itch to get back in and start training again. I jumped in with CSOSU and the people here (swimmers and coaches) helped me regain my passion for the sport. I'm very thankful for that, and hope that by coaching I can do that for other newcomers like the team did for me!
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: The most common thing I noticed amongst the best swimmers I was ever around was that they were tough as nails mentally. Not being afraid of any pain they might experience during practice be it a hard set, during the end of a race, or even just focusing on a new technique is what made them great. Being able to use that attitude to lead and inspire others during meets and practices is also incredibly valuable to the team as a whole. Lastly...LEGS!!!
​
WIP
  1. Name/Day: Grayton Geisman / Monday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: I started coaching for the first time this past semester for CSOSU!
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: I've been swimming competitively for 15 years. I started swimming with the Worthington Wave summer team and then Worthington Swim Club. In high school I swam for Worthington Kilbourne High School. Currently I've been completing for Club Swimming at Ohio State for 2 years.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: My favorite events are the 200 IM and the 100 Breast. I volunteered to coach so that I could give back to this team and so I could stay connected with swimmers I don't get to see often.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: I think the most important quality of swimmer is being thoughtful about what you are practicing and having the dedication to do so day in and day out. 
  1. Name/ Day: Jack/ Tuesday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: About 25 years - I started as a swimmer with the team - oh, awhile back. I have ONLY been a coach for this team, and that is fine by me.
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: Yes, once a swimmer - always a swimmer - even though it may not be current. I was (and still am) a distance and 400 IM'er - just happen to be out of  practice at the moment.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team: It just sort of happened - over time (a long time), I went from creating workouts to being a coach.  
    I am still learning what that means and that is what is challenging (and fun) for me.  It is a challenge to figure out when to interrupt your flow and when not to.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: Curiosity and a hint of  "bravado" (aka swagger, panache, confidence),
  • To have expectations (albeit realistic ones) for yourself (and for the those around you and for the coaches too). That you use every practice to "get" something (a time, a perfect stroke or a state of body/mind), and if it doesn't materialize - there is the next practice.
  • The internal and external smile - to remember why this sport has been fun, in the past, and will continue to be fun - as long as we want it to.
  • That this club is ALL of you, get to know those around you (I have always been surprised by the quality of "people" who swim, at all levels, and especially as adults). It is there if you want to find it.
  • The ability see the big picture - that no one set or practice defines us. We can swim for so many different physiological benefits (too many to list!).
  • That punching and churning the water is a healthier response than verbally (or even physically) punching someone in the face.
  • ASK questions of coaches and other swimmers, this is not a top down organization (there will be no yelling)
  1. Name/Day: AJ Burt/ Wednesday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams:  I've been coaching for 8 years, 6 of them as an assistant coach for the Wyoming Seadragons and three as head coach for the Cincinnati Country Club
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: I swam for 16 years, my last 4 for Wittenberg University. I did a little bit of everything, but specialized mostly in breaststroke and distance IM.
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team? Since becoming a swammer, I've really missed being involved in the sport, so coaching for the team is a great way for me stay active in and engaged with swimming. As a D3 swimmer I was also able to be passionate about lots of other extracurriculars, so it's fulfilling to work with swimmers who seem to pride themselves in both staying involved with their sport as well as lots of other forms of student involvement.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why:  I don't think I can or would place it on one thing because each member of a swim team operates so differently and each unique approach to the sport adds value(s) that influence and make a well-rounded unit. However one common trait I've found in great teammates is determination because it keeps the forward mental momentum necessary to succeed at any capacity.​
  1. Name/Day: Nicole Leenders/ Thursday
  2. How many years have you been coaching/ what teams: I have been coaching for a total of 6 years at the state and national level. My latest job was to be Michael Phelps personal motivation coach. Let me tell you, he is a phenomenal athlete but needs a strong team around him. Just like the Ohio state swim team!

    Assistant Coach Rams Swim Team 2010-2014
    Head Coach Little Penguins 2015-2016
  3. Were you ever a swimmer? If so, what was your favorite stroke/ event: GMD High School Swim team (2003-2006)
    University of South East Alaska Swim Team(2007-2011)
    First to the Egg 1988
    Front Crawl
  4. Why did you volunteer to coach our team? I love to be around the pool and see people achieve their full potential. Swimming is also a healthy activity that has lifelong benefits. The energy of competitive swimming brings life to a higher level for me whether I am competing or coaching.
  5. What quality is most valuable for a swimmer to have and why: Fighting Spirit is what I see as the most valuable quality in a competitive swimmer. To swim with everything you have and then some. But in the end everyone is unique and many successful swimmers have contrasting strengths and weaknesses.